HL Deb 23 March 1961 vol 229 cc1220-1
EARL WINTERTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when the conference on the future Constitution of Northern Rhodesia at Lusaka will commence, and what organisations will be represented at the conference.]

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, it is the Governor's intention to proceed by way of individual consultations with the political groups, rather than by way of a conference. He has made a start by putting forward to the political groups suggestions which illustrate how the plan contained in the White Paper might be worked out in detail, as a basis for further discussion with them individually; and he has invited their comments and alternative proposals. The political groups whom the Governor has so addressed are those represented at the Northern Rhodesia Constitutional Conference—namely, the African National Congress, the Dominion Party, the Northern Rhodesia Liberal Party, the United National Independence Party and the United Federal Party, as well as the representatives of the Chiefs and Independent Members of the Legislative Council.

EARL WINTERTON

My Lords, would my noble friend agree that the arrangement which has been reached as a result of the discussions in London over this matter, and which, if I may say so, reflects great credit both on the Prime Minister and on Sir Roy Welensky, will greatly facilitate the possibility of arriving eventually at an agreement, since it is now open to any Conference to discuss alterations within the framework of the required plan.

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, I think that the whole House will agree that it is very satisfactory that, after the discussions, it has been accepted that consultations—and I would stress that it is consultations rather than a conference—should proceed at Lusaka within the spirit of the White Paper.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, it would be better to withhold judgment on the details of what has gone so far until we see the result.